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Lake Tran CEO asks commissioners for feedback on removing onboard cash fareboxes
Summary
Lake Tran CEO Ben Capel briefed commissioners on aging fareboxes, maintenance spikes and staff recommendation to prioritize digital and open payments while retaining community cash access through kiosks and retail loading options. Capel warned replacement costs could be $1.7–$2.0 million before installation.
Ben Capel, CEO of Lake Tran, gave commissioners a detailed briefing on whether the agency should remove cash fareboxes from buses and move to a predominantly digital fare‑collection system. Capel said the fareboxes were purchased in 2009 and are “past end of life,” with replacement units costing “25 to $28,000 apiece,” which he estimated could total about $1.75 million to $2 million for the fleet before installation and other expenses. He also said the agency collects an estimated $208,000 in onboard cash annually and projects about $1.2 million in total fare revenue for 2026.
Capel framed the decision as a tradeoff between economics and access: “We are considering do we remove cash from the onboard environment of the bus not from Lake Tran as a whole,” he said, adding that staff recommend prioritizing digital payments and implementing open payments (tap‑to‑pay) while still providing cash options via kiosks and retail loading locations. Commissioners questioned how many riders would be lost if onboard cash were eliminated; one commissioner observed that while survey responses showed higher preference for cash, cash accounted for a smaller share of actual revenue. Capel said a phased approach is possible (for example, making park‑and‑ride buses cash‑free first) and emphasized that transfers and discount verification (senior discounts, reduced‑fare cards) must be preserved in any new system.
The presentation covered operational details including vaults and secure cash handling, a 2016–2025 trend of rising maintenance issues, and local kiosks and retailer partnerships that allow cash to be loaded to rider accounts. Capel said staff would pursue community engagement over an 18–24 month transition period if the board and Lake Tran decide to sunset onboard fareboxes. He also told commissioners that the agency has applied for federal grant funding that could defray some costs and that the board would weigh community feedback before making a final procurement decision.
